Lubricating device for leaf-springs



E. FRANC. LuBRncATlNG nEvlcE Fon LEAF SPRINGS.

APPLICATION FLED FEB. 24, 1919..

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

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S11/varchar' PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH MARIE ETIENNE FRANC, OF ST. VALLIER, FRANCE.

LUBRICATING DEVICEl FOR LEAF-SPRINGS.

Application filed February 24, 1919.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MARIE ETIENNE FRANC, a citizen of the FrenchRepublic` vof St. Vallier, Drome, France, have invented a certain newand useful Lubricating Device for Leaf-Springs, of which the following aspecification.

The present invention has for its object a lubricating device for theleaf-springs of vehicles of all kinds, such as motor cars, wa ons,trams, etc.

he device is illustrated in the" accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a part of a leaf-spring.

Fig. 2 is a plan on a larger scale, the grease cap being removed.

Fig. 3 isa cross section of Fig. 2 with the grease cap in place.

According to the invention the leaves a of the spring are provided intheir middle part and on their lower surface with longitudinal grooves bextending over nearly the whole length of the surface in contact withthe surface ofthe leaf situated underneath. The bottom leaf has nogroove.

These grooves are of gradually decreasing width, from the main leaf tothe last lower leaf but one, and are in communication with each other byopenings c provided in the middle of vthe leaves.

The mounting of the leaves is effected as usual by means of couplingplates d pressing them on the support e of the axle. In the drawing awooden orfbrous wedge is shown at f arranged between said support andthe bottom leaf of the spring.

In the same way, between the upper leaf and the coupling plates isinterposed a block g intended to prevent breaking ,of the spring. Fourbolts L (Figs. 2 and 3) pass through the said block and through all theleaves and, having their heads sunk in the wedge f, complete themounting of the spring.

In the center of the block g is fixed a lubricator cup Z having a' largeoutlet oriice and a screW-stopperj, so that consistent or graphitelubricant or even thick oil can pass through the successive springs ointo the grooves of the leaves. The stopper j of said lubricator ishexagonall in shape so Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

Serial No. 278,969.

that by means of a Spanner, strong pressure can be exerted on thelubricant and the latter sent into the grooves as far as the ends of theleaves to lubricate the latter.

To facilitate the progress of the lubricant especially7 along the upperleaves, teeth In (Fig. l) are provided on each leaf, opposite the groovesituated above. In consequence of the lexions of the leaves, a naturalprogress of the lubricant is produced which, in conjunction with theimpulsion produced by the lubricator, enables it to reach more easilythe ends of the leaves without dispersing and leaking at the sides.These teeth 7c are, however, only necessary for great lengths ofspringsv and then only at the parts where the leaves are flexed. Forthis reason they are only provided in the up er leaves and at the endsof the same.

he grooves are not all of the same size; they are in proportion to thelength of the leaves; of reduced section for the bottom leaves, whichareJ short and do not bend much. Their size is increased in proportionto theincreased length of the leaves up to the maximum in the top leaf,which is the longest, and the flexions of which have the'maximumamplitude. In all cases, the lubrication can be assisted by means ofnotches in the grooves to insure a proper distribution of the lubricant.

Incase the spring, instead of being supported on is vsuspended from thebridge or the axle, the construction as above 'described is provided,except that all the holes c have a diameterat least equal to thediameter of the opening of the lubricator, the latter being thenarranged underneath head downward.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is z- 1. In a device of the character described, aleafes ring composed of a plurality of leaves o successively decreasinglength having longitudinal rooves along their surfaces in contact, saldgrooves communicating with one another'b orifices formed in the leavesand being o successively decreasing width from leaf to leaf, and meansfor supplying lubricant to said grooves. 1

2. In a device of the character described,

a leaffspring composed of a plurality of In Witness vvhereofl havesigned this leaves having longitudinal grooves along specification inthe presence of two Wit- 10 their surfaces in Contact said groovescomnesses.

murucat'ing With one anothel by `orifices JOSEPH MARIE ETIENNE FRANCformed 1n the leaves, a lubricant cup 1n communca-tion with saidorifices, and teeth upon Witnesses:

said leaves projecting into the groove of the J EAN GERMAIN,

adjacent leaf. MARIN VAoHoN.

